Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) will break from gate four when he goes postward for the final time in his racing career in Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland. The sophomore, who will face nine foes in the
$5-million centerpiece of championship weekend, was installed the 6-5 morning-line favorite as he looks to rebound from a runner-up effort in the Aug. 29 GI Travers S.
“The horse drew very well,” trainer Bob Baffert commented after the draw. “I'm happy with his post. But the main thing is the horse is doing really well.”
Second choice in the Classic is multiple Eclipse champion Beholder (Henny Hughes), who drew the 10 hole during Monday's post position draw held at Keeneland.
Earlier in the day, the two favorites turned in impressive works with American Pharoah zipping four furlongs in :46.60 at Santa Anita and Beholder sizzling five furlongs at Keeneland :59.40. Both were bullet moves.
The contentious 10-horse Classic field includes nine Grade/Group 1 winners and Victor Espinoza, who will ride American Pharoah, acknowledged it would not be just a race between the top two favorites.
“Beholder is tough,” Espinoza said. “She's a great filly, but I don't worry about just one. I think about the whole field. There is a reason why they are in the race, because they are all shooting to win, and they're all going to try to beat American Pharoah again.”
Last year's GI Belmont S. winner Tonalist (Tapit) and late-running GI Whitney H. winner Honor Code (A.P. Indy) are co-third choice in the Classic at 6-1. Tonlist will break from the rail, while Honor Code drew post nine.
In all, 175 horses, including 10 also-eligibles, were entered for 13 championships races to be held for the first time at Lexington's historic Keeneland Friday and Saturday and worth more than $26 million.
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